JPH08263080A - Centralized karaoke control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To maintain a comfortable KARAOKE environment of each room and to reduce the adverse effect to the outside of the KARAOKE facility caused by the KARAOKE sound by invalidating the sound volume information of the excess portion when the sound volume information exceeds the level of a maximum sound volume value. CONSTITUTION: A center side control section 10 transmits the musical sounds and the lyric data corresponding to the selected music to a KARAOKE terminal device 3 side. At this time, the data related to an amplifier maximum sound volume value previously stored in an amplifier maximum sound volume value storage section 27 are also transmitted and are both stored in the data storage section. Based on the adjustment condition of an amplifier sound volume adjustment section, the amplifier sound volume adjustment level is detected. Should the adjustment level (an amplifier volume increasing and decreasing signal) not be larger than the amplifier maximum sound volume value temporarily stored in the data storage section of a terminal side, the amplifier sound volume increasing and decreasing signal indicating the adjustment level is transmitted to the amplifier as is. On the other hand, if the amplifier adjustment level (a sound volume increasing and decreasing signal) exceeds the amplifier maximum sound volume value, the exceeded portion is cut (invalidated) and transmitted to the amplifier side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized karaoke management system of the type in which a plurality of karaoke terminal devices are centrally managed by a central control device, and more particularly to a technique for controlling the volume of an amplifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, karaoke facilities such as so-called karaoke boxes equipped with a plurality of private room karaoke terminal devices have been popular. Therefore, the volume of the karaoke device in each private room is adjusted by operating the volume control knob provided on the karaoke terminal device in each private room or by operating the remote controller. Therefore, the person who adjusts the volume of the performance song and the volume of the microphone generated from the speaker
It can be as large as possible within the capabilities of the amplifier.

[0003]

However, if the volume is set too high, the sound will be heard in the next room,
The karaoke environment in each room is easily damaged. Further, it is not preferable that the loud karaoke performance sound and microphone sound leak to the surroundings of the karaoke facility. It should be noted that if the soundproof structure of each room or the entire karaoke facility is strengthened, the problem can be solved to some extent, but in that case, it takes a considerable cost to incorporate the soundproof structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke centralized management system in which a comfortable karaoke environment in each room is maintained by appropriately controlling the volume of an amplifier and the outside of the karaoke facility is less affected by the sound. Especially.

[0005]

First, the object of the present invention is a system for centrally managing a plurality of karaoke terminal devices by a central control device. The central controller then has the following elements: Central data storage means: Stores central information including a plurality of karaoke data and the maximum volume value of the amplifier. Karaoke data includes, for example, tone data and lyrics data. Central data communication means: Communicates central information with the plurality of karaoke terminal devices connected through a transmission circuit. On the other hand, each of the plurality of karaoke terminal devices includes the following elements. Terminal side data communication means: requests central information through the transmission circuit and receives the central information. Terminal side data storage means: stores the received central information. Amplifier control means: Transmits the information to an amplifier for increasing / decreasing the volume of musical sound performance based on the karaoke data stored in the terminal side data storage means according to the volume information input from the amplifier volume increasing / decreasing means. Further, when the volume information exceeds the level of the amplifier maximum volume value stored in the terminal side data storage means, the excess volume information is invalidated.

According to the invention of claim 1, central information such as a plurality of karaoke data and the maximum volume value of the amplifier is sent from the central control device to each of the plurality of karaoke terminal devices and stored in the terminal data storage means. It Then, when the user of each karaoke terminal device performs the volume adjustment operation by the amplifier volume increasing / decreasing means in order to increase the volume of the performance sound, the amplifier control means indicates that the volume information is the level of the amplifier maximum volume value described above. If it exceeds, the volume information of the excess is invalidated. As a result, no matter how much the user raises the volume of the amplifier, the volume output from the output device such as the speaker does not exceed the appropriately set maximum volume value of the amplifier. Therefore, even in adjacent rooms, it is possible to obtain a preferable karaoke environment in which it is difficult for sounds to be heard in each room. In addition, if this amplifier maximum volume value is stored in the central data storage means, the amplifier volume of each karaoke terminal device can be controlled collectively, and when controlling each karaoke terminal device individually. Compared with, the complexity is eliminated, and the maximum volume value of the amplifier can be easily converted in a single operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the maximum volume value input means for inputting the maximum volume value information of the amplifier is provided in the central control unit, the plurality of karaoke terminals, or both of them.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, the maximum volume value input means is provided in each karaoke terminal device so that independent maximum volume values can be set for each of the plurality of karaoke terminal devices. The maximum amplifier sound volume value input from is associated with each karaoke terminal device and stored in the central data storage means. Therefore, for example, when the size of each room in the karaoke box is different, the maximum volume value can be set higher in a large room and set lower in a narrow room. Furthermore, for a user who wants to enjoy karaoke at a high volume, it is possible to prepare a room with a special soundproof function and set the maximum volume value of the amplifier high in that room.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The karaoke centralized management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a central control device 2, a plurality of karaoke terminal devices (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a terminal device) 3 installed in each private room of a karaoke facility such as a karaoke box, and the terminal devices 3.
And a communication line 4 configured by a CATV or the like for connecting the central control unit 2 and the central control unit 2. Further, the central controller 2 is connected to the host computer 5 by a communication line 6 composed of a public communication line or the like, and functions as a server.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central control unit 2 comprises a central side control section 10, in which a CPU 11, a ROM 12,
It has a built-in RAM 13 and the like, and controls the entire karaoke apparatus 1. The central control unit 10 includes a modem 15 as a communication means for communicating with the host computer 5,
A central side data storage device 16 for storing central information including musical tone data and lyrics data distributed from the host computer 5 and a preset maximum volume value of the amplifier, and an input section for inputting the maximum volume value of the amplifier and the like. 19 is connected. Further, a display device 7 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is connected via a display controller 18.

The central side data storage device 16 stores a large number of musical tone data for karaoke performance in the musical tone data storage section 24 in association with music number. This karaoke performance data is, for example, MIDI (Musical Instrument)
Digital Interface) standard, and the information includes at least signal data such as pitch, sound intensity, sound length, and tone color. The lyrics data storage unit 25 stores the lyrics data of each karaoke song, and the terminal operation status storage unit 26.
Stores information on the operating status sent from each karaoke terminal device 3 (generally, information on whether or not it is used).
Further, the amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 27 stores information on the maximum volume value that can be output from each amplifier, which will be described later, attached to each karaoke terminal device 3, and the maximum volume value of each amplifier is collectively stored based on this information. Will be controlled.

Further, a central side communication unit 8 is connected to the central side control unit 10 and is connected to each karaoke terminal unit 3 by a communication line 4 via a modulator / demodulator 9 and a mixer 14. Then, the central control unit 2 receives the information regarding the performance song reservation and the operating status information from each karaoke terminal device 3 through the communication device 8 and the communication line 4, and at the same time, the musical tone of the reserved performance song. Central information including data, lyrics data, and the maximum volume value of the amplifier is transmitted to each karaoke terminal device 3.

Further, a plurality of background image signal generators 20 are connected to the central side control unit 10, and are connected to the mixer 14 via modulators 21, respectively. The background image signal generator 20 is composed of, for example, an optical video disc (hereinafter referred to as LD) reader, and reads background image data different from each other from the LD according to the genre of the musical composition. It is assumed that the output is continuously output. Further, reference numeral 22 denotes an inter-song video / audio signal generator, which is used, for example, to send a promotion video of a new song or the like for demonstration (hereinafter referred to as demonstration) between performances. The inter-track video / audio signal generator 22 is also composed of an LD reader and the like, and is connected to the mixer 14 via the modulator 21. Then, each data from the central communication device 8, the background video signal generator 20, and the inter-track video / audio signal generator 22 is modulated by the modulator / demodulator 9 and the modulator 21, and is converted into a predetermined channel by the mixer 14. After being multiplexed in the assigned state, each karaoke terminal device 3 is connected via the communication line 4.
Sent to.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of each karaoke terminal device 3. The core of this terminal device 3 is a karaoke commander 29, to which a monitor 34 as a display means for displaying lyrics and background images, the above-mentioned amplifier 35, and the like are connected. The speaker 37 is connected. The karaoke commander 29 includes a terminal-side control unit 30, in which a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM are provided.
It incorporates 33 etc. and controls the terminal device 3. The terminal-side control unit 30 includes a terminal-side communication device 38 that communicates with the central control device 2, musical tone data and lyrics data transmitted from the central control device 2, and information about the maximum volume value of the amplifier (described above). Terminal side data storage section 39 for storing the central information), a musical sound synthesizing section 40 for synthesizing musical tones based on musical tone data, a monitor control section 41, and an input section 42 such as a keyboard for reserving karaoke musical pieces. Are connected. In addition, a wireless remote control unit or the like is usually provided together to reserve a musical piece. This reservation is made by inputting the music number assigned to each musical piece.

The tone synthesizer 40 is composed of, for example, a synthesizer or the like, and serves as a sound source for synthesizing the performance tone of each musical instrument based on the read tone data. This performance signal is sent to the amplifier 35, amplified, mixed with the singing voice of the user input through the microphone 36 at an appropriate ratio, and output from the speaker 37. Although the amplifier 35 in this case has a mixing function, it may be one that simply mixes amplification with a constant mixing ratio.

Next, the terminal side communication device 38 of the karaoke commander 29 is connected to the communication line 4 via the modulator / demodulator 43 and the distributor 44. The terminal device 3 is the communication device 3
8 through the communication line 4 to the central control unit 2 to send information about the performance song reservation and terminal operation status, conversely from the central control unit 2 musical tone data and lyrics data of the music, and the maximum volume value of the amplifier Receive central information including. Also,
The distributor 44 is for separating background image data or demo image data from the multiplexed data sent from the central control unit 2 side, and the separated background image data is controlled by the terminal side. Tuner 4 connected to section 30
It is supposed to be sent to 5. Then, the tuner 45 receives a command from the terminal-side control unit 30 to select a background video channel according to the genre of the musical composition, and sends the selected background video data to the monitor control unit 41. The monitor control unit 41 synthesizes the background image based on the background image data described above, synthesizes the lyrics telop based on the read lyrics data, and displays the lyrics telop on the background image in the form of being superimposed on the background image. . It also plays the role of informing the user of the corresponding singing part by sequentially reversing the lyrics telop in synchronization with the progress of the performance of the song.

Next, the setting of the amplifier maximum volume value will be described first. Immediately after installing the karaoke terminal device 3 in the karaoke facility, or when the speaker 37 or the like connected to the terminal device 3 is changed, each karaoke terminal device 3
The maximum volume value (amplifier maximum volume value) that can be generated by the amplifier 35 attached to the is input from the input unit 19 of FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the amplifier volume adjustment level can be adjusted in 10 steps from the minimum value "1" to the maximum value "10", Within the range, for example, "7" and an amplifier maximum volume value can be set. Then, the input unit 19
The information about the amplifier maximum volume value (for example, “7”) input in step 3 is stored in the amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 27 of the center side data storage device 16 via the center side control unit 10 in FIG.

Note that such an amplifier maximum volume value can be input through the input section 42 of the karaoke terminal device 3 shown in FIG. In that case, the terminal side control unit 3
0, the terminal side communication device 38, etc., and further, via the communication line 4 and the central side control unit 10 of FIG.

Input unit 1 of central controller 2 (server side)
When inputting and setting the maximum amplifier volume value from 9, it is common that the maximum amplifier volume value is uniformly set for each of the plurality of karaoke terminal devices 3 that are centrally managed by the central control unit 2. In the section 19, it is possible to set a different amplifier maximum volume value for each karaoke terminal device 3. Further, when the amplifier maximum volume value is input through the input unit 42 of each karaoke terminal device 3, it is possible to set a value unique to each karaoke terminal device 3.

Each step R in the flow chart shown in FIG.
In 1 to R4, R1 is an input of such an amplifier maximum volume value. If the input is new, R2
The amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 27 of FIG. 2 receives the input amplifier maximum volume value as new data by R3.
Stored in. However, when the amplifier maximum volume value data is already stored in the storage unit 27, the previous data (the amplifier maximum volume value already stored) is stored in R4.
Is updated to the newly input maximum value.

Next, the amplifier volume control routine will be described with reference to FIG. When a song reservation is made via the input unit 42 of FIG. 3, the reservation is made via the terminal side control unit 30, the terminal side communication device 38, the communication line 4, the central side communication device 8 (FIG. 2) and the like. It is transmitted to the control unit 10 as a music selection (reservation) request. Based on this, the central side control unit 10 transmits the musical tone data and the lyrics data corresponding to the selected song stored in the central side data storage device 16 to the karaoke terminal device 3 side, each of which stores the terminal side data. It is stored in the unit 39. These are S1 and S2 in the steps of FIG. 5, but at this time, the central side control unit 10 sets the amplifier maximum volume stored in advance in the amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 27 of the central data storage device 16 (FIG. 2). The value data is transmitted to the karaoke terminal device 3 side together with the above-mentioned musical tone data, lyrics data, etc., which is also stored in the data storage unit 39. In addition,
As described above, the background video signal and the like are also sent to the karaoke terminal device 3 side.

The karaoke performance is performed based on the above-described music selection. Adjustment (operation) of the amplifier volume control section 48 (volume knob, button, etc.) in FIG. 3 is performed.
Based on the situation, the amplifier volume control level is detected in S4. Here, if the adjustment status can be known from the voltage or the like, the adjustment level of the amplifier volume can be immediately known by obtaining the voltage value. On the other hand, if the output level of the amplifier 35 cannot be immediately known,
Immediately after the power supply to SS1 in FIG. 5 is turned on, the adjustment level of the amplifier volume is automatically set to the minimum value in SS2, and it is possible to detect how much the volume has been raised based on this minimum value (for example, the volume button In the case of a type in which the volume is increased stepwise each time the button is pressed, the current amplifier volume adjustment level can be detected by counting the number of times of operation. This amplifier volume control level may be detected by a karaoke user while operating the amplifier volume control section 48 shown in FIG. 3, or in the initial power-on state without the user's operation. It may be detected.

Then, in S5, it is determined whether or not the adjustment level (amplifier volume increase / decrease signal) is larger than the amplifier maximum volume value temporarily stored in the data storage unit 39 on the terminal side in FIG. If it is not larger, the amplifier volume increase / decrease signal indicating the adjustment level is sent to the amplifier 35 as it is, and the amplifier output is determined in S7 based on this. On the other hand, when the amplifier adjustment level (volume increase / decrease signal) is larger (exceeds) than the above-described amplifier maximum volume value, the excess is cut, that is, invalidated and transmitted to the amplifier side. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the amplifier volume adjustment level is "1"-
The maximum volume value of the amplifier is "7" in 10 steps up to "10"
If the amplifier volume increase / decrease signal (volume adjustment level) exceeds the maximum volume (setting) value “7” and becomes “8” to “10”, the amplifier output is “7”. Will hit the ceiling.

Therefore, even if the karaoke user fully operates the amplifier volume control unit 48 shown in FIG. 3, the volume actually output from the speaker 37 based on the amplification effect of the amplifier 35 can be automatically suppressed to be lower than that. Becomes Then, by setting and storing such an amplifier maximum volume value in advance on the server side, that is, on the side of the central control device 2, even if there are any number of karaoke terminal devices 3, the amplifier maximum volume can be controlled in a centralized manner. It will be automatically controlled. In this embodiment, the terminal-side control unit 30 that executes the control program as described above also serves as the amplifier control means.

As yet another embodiment, different amplifier maximum volume values may be set and stored for different time zones, and this may be linked with the clock means. That is, the current time is fetched, the maximum volume value data corresponding to the time zone indicated by the clock means is read from the amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 27 of FIG. 2, and the amplifier maximum volume value is changed according to the time zone based on this. For example, the maximum volume value may be set low at midnight and set high at daytime. Further, as a similar method, one amplifier maximum volume value is set, and different correction values are prepared based on the time zone indicated by the clock means. It can be different.

Further, for example, by type of music (genre),
The maximum volume value for each amplifier is set on the central side (server) side, and when transmitting music data and lyrics data to each karaoke terminal device based on the song selection command, the maximum volume value data corresponding to the genre of the song Can also be sent together. In that case, adjustments can be made according to the genre of the song, such as setting the amp maximum volume value to a low value for uptempo songs such as rock, and setting it to a higher value for slow tempo songs such as ballads. .

Further, in FIG. 2, the amplifier maximum volume value is stored in the storage section 27, but by uniformly transferring it to the data storage section 39 of each terminal side 3, each karaoke terminal device 3 is The amplifier maximum volume value stored in the terminal-side data storage unit 39 is simply read to perform the amplifier volume control, and the amplifier maximum volume value data is transferred from the central side to the karaoke terminal device side by side every time a song selection request is made. Can be omitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a karaoke centralized management system which is a premise of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of the central controller of FIG.

3 is a block diagram of the karaoke terminal device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an amplifier maximum volume value setting routine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an amplifier volume control routine based on the setting of the maximum volume value.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of setting the maximum volume value of the amplifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Central control device 3 Karaoke terminal device 4 Communication line 8 Central side communication device 10 Central side control unit 16 Central side data storage device 27 Amplifier maximum volume value storage unit 19 Input unit 30 Terminal side control unit 36 Terminal side communication device 35 Amplifier 39 Terminal side data storage unit 48 Amplifier volume control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A system for centrally managing a plurality of karaoke terminal devices by a central control device, wherein the central control device includes information including a plurality of karaoke data and a maximum volume value of an amplifier (hereinafter referred to as central information). ) For storing the central information, and central data communication means for communicating the central information between the plurality of karaoke terminal devices connected through a transmission circuit. A terminal side data communication means for requesting the central information through the transmission circuit and receiving the central information; a terminal side data storage means for storing the received central information; and a terminal side data storage means for storing the central information. According to the volume information inputted from the amplifier volume increasing / decreasing means, the information for increasing / decreasing the volume of the performance based on the karaoke data is inputted to the amplifier. When the volume information exceeds the level of the maximum volume value stored in the terminal side data storage means, the amplifier control means for invalidating the excess volume information is transmitted. Centralized karaoke management system. 2. The centralized karaoke management system according to claim 1, further comprising a maximum volume value input means which is provided in at least one of the central control device and the plurality of karaoke terminal devices, and which inputs the maximum volume value information of the amplifier. 3. The karaoke concentration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the maximum volume value input means is provided in each karaoke terminal device so that a unique maximum volume value can be set for each of the plurality of karaoke terminal devices. Management system.